These individuals varied in appearance, but they shared one common feature, that being the clothes on their backs. They wore something similar to qinggong costumes, light yellow in color, with the oldest among them around forty years of age, and the youngest merely in their teens.
Upon seeing this, Qin Xiao came to a realization, without a doubt these people were the Sea Soul Masters from Sea God's Island.
He also knew that the Sea Soul Masters of Sea God's Island distinguished their ranks by the color of their clothing. However, this was not based on their soul power rank. Instead, it was determined by the difficulty of the Sea God's trials they had undertaken in the past. The higher the difficulty level of the trials they passed, the higher their status on Sea God's Island, and correspondingly different the color of their clothing.
However.
Before either party could say more, Qin Xiao frowned.
This time, his face exhibited a trace of seriousness as he looked towards a black shadow approaching from the distant sky.
"That is..."
Soon, not only Qin Xiao but also Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran beside him caught sight of the figure, and their hearts were once again suspended.
They too were worldly, and they recognized the identity of the arrival.
Flying through the air, a Titled Douluo!
Indeed, this was a powerhouse of the same caliber as Qin Xiao.
Shortly, the black shadow arrived in front of everyone, levitating high in the air and looking down upon them with a forceful soul force pressure that, even though not released, still exerted significant pressure on those below.
Even the Sea Soul Masters from Sea God's Island who had appeared before knelt down one after another and called out loudly, "Greetings to the guardian, my lord!"
In contrast, the cloaked figure could not be bothered to respond, not even sparing those Soul Masters a glance.
He asked coldly, "Who are you?"
Qin Xiao answered in a calm tone, "Those who wish to ascend the Sea God's Island before us."
"That's quite the bold claim."
"Heh."
Upon hearing this, the cloaked figure let out a cold laugh, and then with a wave of his hand, "I see you must be Soul Masters from the mainland, having crossed the ocean to reach Sea God's Island, presumably paying a hefty price in hardship. However, you better head back. Sea God's Island is not a place the likes of ordinary people can enter, especially Soul Masters from the mainland. It's very difficult to gain access, and if you value your lives, then leave. It's good for young people to have courage, but reckless bravery can end up costing you your lives."
Qin Xiao said nothing more, but instead looked around him.
Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran in turn stepped up to Qin Xiao's side.
"What is this, trying to seduce me?" the cloaked figure couldn't help muttering to himself.
He thought Qin Xiao wanted to gain access to Sea God's Island, perhaps trying to use some special method to get through the back door.
But in the next moment, the cloaked figure realized he was wrong because he sensed an outburst of soul power from the two young girls.
"Eh, their cultivation level is at least above level forty-five?"
Having perceived the true cultivation levels of Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran, his voice took on an element of surprise.
After all, both girls looked quite young.
Especially Zhu Zhuqing, who was several years younger than Meng Yiran. But to have already reached the Soul Ancestor Level at such a young age, even Sea God's Island did not possess such prodigious talents...
No.
Not even someone with the slightly more mature talent of the other young girl could compare to anyone on Sea God's Island.
Even forgetting about the present, when he recalled his own youth, the cloaked figure remembered that at their age, he was still hovering around the threshold of Soul Elder status, wasn't he?
Geniuses, both of these young girls were no ordinary geniuses. If they could join Sea God's Island, it would surely bring great benefits to it in the future. If they could pass the Sea God's assessment, there was a ninety percent chance of them becoming Titled Douluo level powerhouses...
In just an instant, the cloaked figure thought of many things.
His determination wasn't as unwavering as before.
After all, even with Sea God's blessings, Sea God's Island wouldn't turn away two young individuals with the potential to become Titled Douluo.
"*Cough cough.*"
The robed figure coughed lightly, casually lowering the black cloak on his head to reveal a gaunt face. "Let me introduce myself, I am the guardian of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar. Now, I shall ask you again, do you truly wish to ascend Sea God's Island and become one of its members?"
After hearing his words, Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran did not respond. In their hearts, Qin Xiao's words represented their will.
Frankly speaking, even if ascending Sea God's Island would immediately make them Titled Douluo, if Qin Xiao disagreed, they would not hesitate to turn around and leave, not setting foot on Sea God's Island at all.
Rustle rustle rustle.
At that moment, Qin Xiao stepped forward again, and because the surroundings were so quiet, the sound of his feet crossing the sand was clearly audible.
He nodded, "Yes, we still wish to ascend Sea God's Island."
"I should remind you that to join Sea God's Island, you must undergo the trials left by Sea God. And once the trial is accepted, there's no possibility of quitting halfway. Even if it means losing your life."
Sea Horse Douluo said, casting another glance at Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran, "Don't think that your cultivation level is decent, but the trials of Sea God have nothing to do with cultivation level. It could be as simple as lifting a handful of sand or as difficult as challenging a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Are you really sure?"
"Begin," Qin Xiao replied with just three words, his attitude leaving no room for doubt.
"Good, follow me."
The Sea Horse Douluo said and slowly descended from mid-air to the ground.
Then, he turned to the Sea Soul Masters guarding Sea God's Island beside him and said, "You may go about your business," before he took the lead and walked on.
Qin Xiao and the rest followed without uttering a single word.
But in their eyes, there was curiosity and expectation.
After a while, they arrived at the center of Sea God's Island.
To their surprise, there was a water pond in front of them.
What was most peculiar was that the small water pond was far from calm; it was churning like the sea, with waves rolling without any wind.
Surrounding the water pond was a dense forest. It seemed to have a diameter of approximately five hundred meters. In the center of the pond, there was a triangular platform with a strange stone pillar standing on it.
The stone pillar was cone-shaped, with a special sculpture carved at the very top, and countless complex lines inscribed along the entire shaft of the pillar. Those seemed to be a kind of script. An invisible yet strange energy was emanating from this peculiar pillar.
"This must be one of the sacred pillars of Sea God's Island, a miraculous column imbued with Sea God Divine Power!" Qin Xiao said, his eyes shining as he looked at everything before him.
Upon arriving here, he felt the long-dormant Thunder Emperor Spirit within him becoming lively again.
Of course, it didn't give him much thought, just two words: Wants to eat.
"Wait a bit longer. If you exert some effort and trigger the Sea God's Nine Quests, then the Sea God's power will definitely make you full to bursting," Qin Xiao mumbled to his Thunder Emperor Spirit, not caring whether it understood his meaning or not; he was simply mumbling to himself.
Of course, this wasn't false. After all, the Shura Divine Power only exists in what the Asura God left behind. Sea God Divine Power, on the other hand, is different. The Sea God is still alive, and he is very protective of his inheritors.
Although Qin Xiao wasn't particularly interested in inheriting the godhood, he coveted the Sea God's Divine Power. Frequently contacting the Sea God to try and get some Divine Power for himself wasn't too excessive, right?
Regardless, he needed to satisfy the Thunder Emperor Spirit first.
"Welcome to the Sea Within the Sea, Sea Horse Sacred Pillar."
The Sea Horse Douluo spoke with a cadence, "The Sea Horse Sacred Pillar is one of the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God's Island. The Sea God endowed the Seven Sacred Pillars with Divine Power to spread his will. Any of the sacred pillars may test the soul masters who come here. You will receive the trial questions from Sea God here. Are you prepared now?"
As his words fell, no one answered.
Looking at the people beside him, he found they were all eagerly staring at them.
As if to say, please hurry up. We are all short on time.
"Okay, seems my words are superfluous, aren't they?"
The Sea Horse Douluo muttered resignedly, and in the next moment, he leaped into the air and landed in front of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar.
He looked at the people and announced loudly, "Come now, only those who can pass through the Sea Within the Sea and reach the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar qualify to formally accept the trials of Sea God. If you cannot even pass the Sea Within the Sea, then leave as early as possible."